Enhancing creative cognition with a rapid right-parietal neurofeedback procedure

partially_open5noThis study was supported by the CREAM project, funded by the European Commission under Grant Agreement n° 262022. This publication reflects the views of the authors only, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. AA is funded by grants from the Cogito foundation (R117/13; 14-139-R), Fondazione del Monte (339bis/2017), MIUR (RBFR12F0BD) and Ministero della Salute (GR-2010–2319335).The present article describes an innovative neurofeedback training (NFT) procedure aimed at increasing creative cognition through the enhancement of specific brain activities previously associated with divergent thinking. We designed and tested two NFT protocols based on training alpha and beta EEG oscillations selectively measured over the right parietal region. A total of 80 participants were involved, 40 in the alpha NFT protocol and 40 in the beta NFT protocol. The NFT loop was closed on a video stream that would advance only when oscillation power exceeded a normalized threshold. The total duration of the protocol was two hours in a single day, hence its classification as rapid. Changes in ideational fluency and originality, measured with a divergent thinking task, were compared between participants receiving real video feedback and participants receiving sham feedback. We controlled for individual differences in creative achievement level. Results showed that the protocols were effective at enhancing alpha and beta activities in the targeted area. Differences between the two protocols emerged in their effectiveness at promoting divergent thinking. While no significant changes in originality resulted from the rapid alpha NFT, increases in both originality and fluency emerged as a consequence of the rapid beta NFT. These results were particularly evident in participants starting with a low creative achievement level. Possible interpretations and future directions are proposed and discussed.openAgnoli, Sergio*; Zanon, Marco; Mastria, Serena; Avenanti, Alessio; Corazza, Giovanni EmanueleAgnoli, Sergio*; Zanon, Marco; Mastria, Serena; Avenanti, Alessio; Corazza, Giovanni Emanuel

Effect of the proportion of Duroc genes in crosses with Large White and Landrace pigs on the characteristics of seasoned Parma ham

The aim of this study was to estimate the linear and quadratic effects of the proportion of Duroc genes on the characteristicsof seasoned Parma hams by means of a covariance model. The study was carried out on 167 pigs (87 castratedmales, 80 females) from different crosses among Duroc (D), Large White (LW) and Landrace (L) breeds, slaughteredat 300 d of age (live weight 170 kg). All pigs were raised under similar conditions. The curing period was 380 days. Theproportion of Duroc genes was 0% (LWxL; n. 33), 25% [(LWx(DxL); n. 31 and Lx(DxLW); n. 35)] and 50%[Dx(LWx(LWxL)); n. 68]. The increase in the proportion of Duroc genes had a positive linear effect (P<0.01) and a negativequadratic effect (P=0.01) on the yield of deboned ham while ham fat thickness decreased linearly (P=0.07) andincreased quadratically (P<0.01). A higher proportion of Duroc genes was also linearly associated with a lower lightness(P<0.01) and a less yellow color (P=0.09) of the biceps femoris muscle; positive quadratic coefficients have been shownfor lightness (P<0.01), yellowness (P=0.01) and hue (P=0.03). The chemical composition of the semitendinosus musclefeatured a linear increase in moisture (P<0.01) and decrease in fat (P=0.03) and non protein nitrogen (P=0.01) content,in addition to significant quadratic effects with an increase in the proportion of Duroc genes. In conclusion, crossbreedingwith the Duroc breed (up to 50%) makes it possible to obtain positive quality characteristics of cured Parma ham

Driving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance

Background: Making sense of others' actions relies on the activation of an action observation network (AON), which maps visual information about observed actions onto the observer's motor system. This motor resonance process manifests in the primary motor cortex (M1) as increased corticospinal excitability finely tuned to the muscles engaged in the observed action. Motor resonance in M1 is facilitated by projections from higher-order AON regions. However, whether manipulating the strength of AON-to-M1 connectivity affects motor resonance remains unclear. Methods: We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 48 healthy humans. Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) was administered over M1 and the ventral premotor cortex (PMv), a key AON node, to induce spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) in the pathway connecting them. Single-pulse TMS assessed motor resonance during action observation. Results: Before ccPAS, action observation increased corticospinal excitability in the muscles corresponding to the observed movements, reflecting motor resonance in M1. Notably, ccPAS aimed at strengthening projections from PMv to M1 (PMv→M1) induced short-term enhancement of motor resonance. The enhancement specifically occurred with the ccPAS configuration consistent with forward PMv→M1 projections and dissipated 20 min post-stimulation; ccPAS administered in the reverse order (M1→PMv) and sham stimulation did not affect motor resonance. Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence that inducing STDP to strengthen PMv input to M1 neurons causally enhances muscle-specific motor resonance in M1. Our study sheds light on the plastic mechanisms that shape AON functionality and demonstrates that exogenous manipulation of AON connectivity can influence basic mirror mechanisms that underlie social perception

Relationship between serum β-lactoglobulin content during gestation and reproductive efficiency in primiparous sows

The relationship between β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) serum concentration in sows during the last 8 weeks of gestation and subsequentpiglet performance was investigated in 10 Dunel gilts. Two classes of gilts were identified with low (150 ng/ml) average serum β-LG content. For both low and high content groups, equations were calculated todescribe trends in serum β-LG content, respectively y1=10.07e0.0237x (R2=0.3122) and y2=69.00e0.0201x (R2=0.6959), wherex is the number of days of gestation. Differences in serum β-LG content between the two groups were highly significantat all weeks (P0.05) between groups were shown for total number of piglets born, born alive, stillborn or mummified and piglet survivalrates up until d 21 after farrowing. The group with high serum β-LG content during gestation showed higher litterweights at d 5 (P<0.05) and d 21 (P<0.10) and higher estimated milk production from farrowing to d 5 (P<0.10). Theresults indicate that serum β-LG content during the final weeks of gestation could be used as an early indicator of reproductiveefficiency, and that gilts with high content could be selected to improve herd productivity

BPS equations in N=2, D=5 supergravity with hypermultiplets

With the general aim to classify BPS solutions in N=2, D=5 supergravities interacting with an arbitrary number of vector, tensor and hypermultiplets, here we begin considering the most general electrostatic, spherical-symmetric BPS solutions in the presence of hypermultiplet couplings. We discuss the properties of the BPS equations and the restrictions imposed by their integrability conditions. We exhibit explicit solutions for the case of static BPS black-holes coupled to one (the so called universal) hypermultiplet.Comment: 20 pages, v3 some corrections performed; we thank A.Van Proeyen for the pointing ou

Action-related dynamic changes in inferior frontal cortex effective connectivity: A TMS/EEG coregistration study

Humans show exquisite abilities to perform versatile finger movements. The inferior frontal cortex (IFC) plays a pivotal role in the visual control of such movements through connections with other sensorimotor regions. Yet, the dynamics of IFC effective connectivity during action execution are still poorly understood. Using single-pulse TMS and simultaneous EEG recording (i.e., TMS-EEG coregistration), we stimulated the left posterior IFC at rest and during a visuomotor task. We recorded TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) to assess action-related changes in IFC connectivity and localized their sources using sLORETA. We found two key time windows at 3c60 and 3c80 msec after IFC stimulation in which TEPs were modulated by task conditions in remote electrodes. In the first time window ( 3c60 msec), action-related changes in TEP amplitudes were observed over frontal and temporo-parietal electrodes, reflecting increased IFC connectivity with fronto-parietal motor areas and decreased IFC connectivity with visual occipito-temporal areas. In the second time window ( 3c80 msec), action-related TEP increases were observed in frontal, temporal and parietal regions partially overlapping with the default-mode network. No similar effects were observed when TMS was administered over a non-motor control area (the left posterior superior temporal sulcus, STS). These findings highlight dynamic changes in IFC connectivity with motor, sensory and default-mode networks. They suggest sequential stages of task-related changes in IFC connectivity possibly related to controlling and sensing actions and inhibiting default-mode brain activity during motor performance

Mu rhythm and corticospinal excitability capture two different frames of motor resonance: a TMS/EEG co-registration study

Humans are equipped with an extraordinary ability to understand and imitate actions by mapping the observed movement onto their own cortical motor system. Long-established lines of research have identified two correlates of this motor resonance following action observation: the mu rhythm event-related desynchronization (mu-ERD) recorded through electroencephalography (EEG) and the facilitation of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex (M1). Yet, whether mu-ERD and MEP facilitation reflect unique or distinct mechanisms is not conclusive, as prior work did not combine simultaneous TMS-EEG recording with a trial-by-trial analysis of the two markers. To address this issue, here, we used TMS/EEG co-registration while participants observed and executed finger movements. EEG was continuously recorded while single-pulse TMS was administered over the left M1 and MEPs were recorded from the right hand. We found stronger motor cortex recruitment during action execution and observation as shown by mu-ERD. MEPs instead were larger overall during action execution and showed a facilitation specific to the muscles involved in the observed movements. Interestingly, when analyzing these two parameters using a trial-by-trial statistical approach, we did not find any relationship between mu-ERD and MEPs within the action observation condition. Our findings support the notion that EEG and TMS indices of motor resonance reflect distinct neural mechanism

Prediction of milk, fat and protein yields in first lactation from serum ß-lactoglobulin concentrations during gestation in Italian Brown heifers

The Authors report the results of a study carried out on 23 pregnant Italian Brown heifers, with the aim to determine the relationships between blood serum &szlig;-lactoglobulin (&szlig;-LG) concentrations during first gestation and subsequent milk production and quality in first lactation, in order to obtain an improved selection method for replacement heifers. At weeks 20, 26 and 32 of gestation, &szlig;-LG concentrations (&plusmn;SE) were 706&plusmn;78, 753&plusmn;66 and 772&plusmn;63 ng/ml, respectively (P>0.05). High and significant (P&le;0.05) correlation coefficients were observed only between &szlig;-LG content at week 32 and total milk and protein yields in first lactation. Prediction equations of milk, fat and protein production in first lactation from log10 &szlig;-LG content at week 32 of gestation, from parent average genetic indexes and from both were calculated by means of multiple regression analysis. When the contribution of both &szlig;-LG content and predicted genetic indexes were considered, the regression equations gave generally a better estimate of the production parameters in first lactation (higher R2, lower SE of estimate) than the above mentioned parameters alone. These results suggest that it is valuable to pre-estimate milk, fat and protein production in Italian Brown first lactating cows by means of the analysis of serum &szlig;-LG content during gestation